Flight Procedures
Instrument Flight
STAR
A STAR is a pre-planned instrument flight rule (IFR) air traffic control arrival procedure published for pilot
use in graphical and/or textual form. STARs provide transition from the enroute structure to an outer fix or
an instrument approach fix/arrival waypoint in the terminal area. Its purpose is to simplify clearance
delivery procedures.
Until the military fully distributes STAR publications, STARs will be issued to military pilots only when
requested in the flight plan or verbally by the pilot. Still, some of the “preferred” routes in the A/P-1A
contain STARs. Use of STARs requires pilot possession of at least the APPROVED textual description.
As with any ATC clearance or portion thereof, it is the responsibility of each pilot to accept or refuse an
issued STAR. Pilots should notify ATC if they do not wish to use a STAR by placing “NO STAR” in the
remarks section of the flight plan or by the less desirable method of orally stating the same to ATC.
Remember, this option may result in terminal delays and holding.
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